The ninth game between Chiba Lotte Marines and Orix Buffaloes will be held at Zozo Marine Stadium on May 15th at 6 PM.

[Head-to-head record] Chiba Lotte Marines (6th place) vs. Orix Buffaloes (1st place): 1 win, 7 losses

[Announced Starting Pitcher]
Chiba Lotte Marines: Long pitcher 13 games, 0 wins, 1 loss, ERA 1.42
Orix Buffaloes: pitcher Yasuto Takashima, 5 games, 3 wins, 0 losses, ERA 2.30

Chiba Lotte Marines Lotte's pitcher Long will be making his first start since coming to Japan. He has appeared in 13 games as a reliever so far, with a 1.42 ERA and 7 hold, showing good pitching performance. On the 8th, he started against The Giants in the minor leagues, pitching 3 innings, throwing 52 pitches, allowing only hit and no runs. Can he fulfill the role he has been given? In the batting lineup, Toshiya Sato, who hit a two-run homer the previous day, had two hit in his last encounter with pitcher Takashima.

Orix Buffaloes 's starting pitcher, Yasuto Takashima, had a great performance in their previous encounter with Chiba Lotte Marines (on the 4th), pitching seven runs innings, allowing only five hit. The right-hander is on a three-game winning streak; can he secure another win this time? The team is currently on a four-game winning streak against Chiba Lotte Marines. In particular, Seymour has shown excellent form against them, batting .345 in eight games. To maintain their lead in the standings, they'll be looking to extend their winning streak against their favored opponent.

Written by Kai Nagi Niwa